Things to Do in Melbourne in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
High Season · Book Early
December Weather in Melbourne
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
76°F
High Temp
54°F
Low Temp
2.1 inches
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + December lands well. Spring's pollen storms have gone; February's furnace hasn't fired. You'll score 25°C (77°F) days without the 40°C (104°F) punch that January brings.
- + The city's famous laneway cafes finally have tables free. Locals ditched outdoor seats in July. December's 70% humidity feels almost Mediterranean next to summer's wet-blanket air.
- + St Kilda Beach belongs to Melburnians again. Tourists haven't twigged that the water hits 18°C (64°F). The afternoon sea breeze knocks sticky humidity back to sane levels.
- + Christmas season flips the city in ways visitors overlook. The Myer windows on Bourke Street. The massive tree in Federation Square. Night markets where cinnamon donuts battle eucalyptus drifting from nearby gardens.
Considerations
- − School holidays run mid-December through January. Every attraction triples wait times. Shrine of Remembrance views that take 10 minutes in November suddenly demand 45 minutes of queueing.
- − UV index hits 8 by 10 AM. You'll burn faster here than Bali. The ozone hole means even cloudy days deliver surprise sunburns to the unprepared.
- − That 'variable' forecast isn't joking. December can swing from 30°C (86°F) to 16°C (61°F) within six hours. Wind off the bay bites when you're still in shorts from the morning warmth.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Morning Beach Walks and Bay Swimming
December's morning low tides pull the bay to 18°C (64°F). swimmable without a wetsuit, unlike the rest of the year. The 7 AM light at Brighton Beach gilds those famous bathing boxes for twenty perfect minutes. You'll share sand with dog walkers, not Instagram queues.
Booking Tip: No booking needed for bay beaches. Arrive before 9 AM when parking fills and wind picks up. The 7:42 AM train from Flinders Street lands you in Brighton by 8:15. Early beats both crowds and UV.
Laneway Coffee and Street Art Tours
December's dry mornings make laneway wandering pleasant. AC DC Lane still reeks of last night's beer. Hosier Lane's ever-changing graffiti photographs beautifully in soft morning light. Summer's harsh glare hasn't arrived yet.
Booking Tip: Self-guided works fine with Google Maps. Walking tours that start at 10 AM catch artists working. Heat and crowds haven't driven them indoors yet.
Yarra Valley Wine Region Day Trips
The valley sits 40 km (25 miles) northeast. Temperatures run 5°C (9°F) cooler than the city. December means green vineyards, not February's brown scrub. Cellar doors stay open past 5 PM before summer heat forces early closure.
Booking Tip: Book tastings 2-3 weeks ahead for weekends. December Saturdays overflow with office Christmas parties that book whole vineyards. Weekday visits mean real conversations with winemakers, not cattle-call tours.
Queen Victoria Night Market
Wednesday nights in December flip the market into something locals attend. The food court balloons to 50+ stalls. Smoke from Argentinian grills and Korean BBQ clouds the air. Christmas lights flicker overhead while you eat the world. Temperature drops to 20°C (68°F) after dark. Outdoor eating is finally possible.
Booking Tip: Arrive 6 PM for tables. 7 PM brings crowds. 8 PM delivers prime people-watching when office workers hit the wine bar section. Bring cash for smaller food stalls. Some still ignore electronic payments.
Phillip Island Penguin Parade
December's sunset hits 8:45 PM. Penguins waddle ashore in full daylight. You see them, not shadows like winter visitors. The island's 22°C (72°F) afternoons make pre-penguin beach walks comfortable. The seal colony at The Nobbies hasn't migrated yet like they do in February's heat.
Booking Tip: Book the underground viewing platform at least a week ahead. December sells out faster because families can sit on the beach without freezing. The 6 PM departure from Melbourne leaves time for fish and chips in Cowes before the main event.
Australian Open Tennis Tournament Lead-Up Events
The actual Open starts January 16. December brings warm-up tournaments at Melbourne Park. You'll watch top-20 players practicing on outside courts for free. The complex's 23 courts let you wander between matches. Temperature hasn't hit the 40°C+ (104°F+) furnace that turns January into an endurance test for spectators.
Booking Tip: Check Melbourne Park's website two weeks ahead. Qualifying tournaments and practice sessions get announced late. They offer the closest player access you'll ever score. Bring a hat even for morning sessions. That UV index plays rough.
Where to Stay in Melbourne in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Christmas Eve
Carols by Candlelight
Sidney Myer Music Bowl packs 10,000 people holding candles. Australia's biggest Christmas singalong has run since 1937. The whole city feels like it showed up. Pine from the stage mixes with eucalyptus from surrounding gardens. Even cynical Melburnians know the words to 'Six White Boomers.'
Early December
St Kilda Festival
The beach suburb shuts its main drag for a free arts festival. Buskers own doorways. Galleries spill onto sidewalks. Touristy restaurants suddenly serve decent food. The sea breeze keeps things manageable even when the forecast threatens 30°C (86°F).
Packing Checklist
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Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Skip St Kilda. Head south past Elwood to Half Moon Bay. Same 18 °C water, zero tour buses. Locals only. The sea breeze arrives thirty minutes late. You gain calm time.
Learn the coffee code. Flat white equals milk coffee. Long black equals Americano. Say 'regular coffee' and the room clocks you as tourist. Pellegrini's on Bourke has pulled shots since 1954. They won't repeat the lesson.
Myki works on trains. After midnight, buses want exact coins. December sunsets drag past 8 PM. You will probably miss the last sane train. Keep gold change handy.
Hit Queen Victoria Market at 3 PM on weekdays. Vendors slash prices rather than lug produce home. Aisles breathe. Weekends are shoulder wars. Midweek is bargain calm.
Avoid These Mistakes
December is not pure summer. Southerly busters can drop the mercury to 16 °C. That feels like autumn. Outdoor heaters stay off. Pack a jumper. Ignore the calendar.
Check Christmas shutdown lists before you book. Half the city's eateries lock doors 25-26 December. The open ones booked weeks ago. Walk-ins eat supermarket sandwiches. Plan or starve.
Reserve thongs for sand only. Melbourne pavements chew bare feet. Dawn concrete can be 12 °C even when afternoons hit 30 °C. Shoes save soles. Flip-flops flop.
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Top-rated things to do in Melbourne this December
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